Eastland 2025 Season Review | Fairpark

Fairpark's return to Netball competition finished with a premiership triumph, while the Senior Men's promising second-half of the season wasn't enough to avoid relegation.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 10^th (4-14)

Leading Goalkicker: Mitch Neid (22 Goals)

Season Summary:

A much-improved second half of the year wasn’t enough to keep the Lions' survival in Division Three, finishing tenth on the ladder.

At the end of Round 12, Fairpark had just one win next to their name. However, an impressive turnaround, assisted by some key mid-season recruits, saw the Lions win three of their last six games.

Fairpark’s position in Division Three all came down to Round 18 and a percentage battle with Coldstream. The Lions were able to knock off Ferntree Gully in a key victory, but were unable to gain enough percentage, while Coldstream defeated Silvan.

A key highlight for the club in 2025 was Senior Coach Josh Allison playing game number 300 in their mid-season clash with the Eagles.

Key Players:

Have to start with the Skipper, Mitch Nied, when speaking about key players for Fairpark. This year, he was selected into the Team of the Year for the second time, also winning the club’s best and fairest for the second year running. Nied led the goalkicking for the Lions with 22 goals and remains the heart and soul of the club.

Midfielder Mason Byrne continued to star for the Lions, consistently in the best for Fairpark, putting together some high-disposal games. This included a 48-disposal game against Coldstream in Round Ten. Byrne also had 30 disposals or more in eight games this year.

Kyle Hird was also key was again for the Lions in the ruck, averaging over 38 hit outs per game.

Best Win: Round 6 – Fairpark 8.8 56 def. Knox 7.13 55 @ Knox Gardens Reserve

The Round six victory over premiership contenders Knox was an early glimpse of what the Lions were capable of.

In tough and wet conditions, Fairpark held on for a thrilling one-point win at Knox Gardens Reserve. It was the side’s first win of the 2025 season after a tough opening five weeks to the year. It came straight off the bat of a 132-point loss to ladder leaders Donvale.

The Lions trailed by 21 points at Half Time before a four-goal to one third term put Fairpark in striking range. In the opening minute of the last quarter, Skipper Mitch Nied put the Lions in front. They held on with both sides kicking a combined eight behinds, the final margin just one point.

Mitch Nied was once again a major factor in the side’s success on the day, booting two goals and was listed best on ground.

What’s next?

Division Four awaits Fairpark in 2025, and there’s certainly plenty to be excited about. Two of the last three sides relegated from Division Three have gone on to win the Division Four flag in Scoresby and Whitehorse.

The club announced in September that the new Senior Coach would be Mark Fisher. Fisher most recently coached the Upper Ferntree Gully side in the EFNL and will be looking to lead the Lions to their third senior premiership.

Arguably, the biggest recruit thus far has been Russell Cowan, who played under Fisher at Upper Gully. A midfield star that has won league best and fairests, premierships, and multiple club Best and Fairests outside of the EFNL, he’ll add plenty to the current group.

A couple of the notable recruits thus far include John and Charles Stewart, both joining the Lions mid-season after transferring from Bayswater.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 5th (5-7)

Leading Goalkicker: Sarah Birthisel

Season Summary:

 A gallant season for the Lions in the Senior Women’s competition, just missing out on qualifying for another finals series as they finish fifth on the Division Four ladder.

The side won five games this year and was in the conversation of finals all the way up to Round 13.

Best Win: Round 12 – Fairpark 11.5 71 def. Boronia Gold 1.2 8 @ Fairpark Reserve

The Lions were big winners in Round 12 when they hosted Boronia at Fairpark Reserve.

It was set up off a massive second quarter as Fairpark kicked eight goals to zip in a dominant term of footy.

Winning by 63 points, the goals were well spread out with a total of six players hitting the scoreboard. Larissa Thomas led the way with three majors, while Birthisel, Ferguson, and Stokes all kicked two goals each.

Key Players:

Larissa Thomas had an outstanding season for the Lions, claiming honours of the side’s Best and Fairest as well as a position in the Team of the Year. Just behind as the runner-up of the side, Bianca Firth celebrated another great season. The Captain of the side and former club best and fairest winner leading from the front.

Leading the way up forward was Sarah Birthisel, 18 goals, and once again the leading goalkicker for the side.

Vice Captain of the Lions, Tahlia Zaloumis, was another key player defensively, selected as a part of the EFNL Team of the Year Squad.

What’s Next?

Ahead of the 2026 season, the club announced its new Senior Women’s coach for the year.

Tony Hubber joins the Lions, having plenty of experience within the league through juniors and seniors at The Basin, Lysterfield, and SBL Wolves.

Netball

Fairpark Lions (Division 12): 1^st, 12-2, 177.24% 

The Lions entered the Ringwood Mazda Netball competition in 2025 and had immediate success with their side going on to win the premiership.

The Fairpark Lions competed in Division Twelve, taking out the flag after going 12-2 in the Home and Away season, tied with second placed Vermont White.

Their strong season in the regular season continued in the finals having two strong wins over Vermont. A 16 goal win over the Eagles in the Semi Final saw the Lions enter Grand Final Night as favourites.

The decider was a tight encounter but Fairpark were able to hold a steady lead at each break, finishing with a six-goal win. Laura Stevenson finished with 14 goals while Emily Whitehead scored 10 herself.

A huge success for the club as they re-entered the Netball competition. Taking out the Best and Fairest was Stephanie Quang, finishing just ahead of Piper D’Amico.